Panama Canal, Maritime waterway in Panama
The Panama Canal stretches 82 kilometers across the isthmus, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through a system of locks and lakes.
The French initiated construction in 1881, but the United States completed the project in 1914 after acquiring rights through the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty.
The Panama Canal Administration Building, constructed in 1914, displays classical architecture with Mediterranean elements, representing early 20th-century engineering achievements.
The Miraflores Visitor Center provides viewing platforms, exhibitions, and restaurants where visitors can observe vessels passing through the locks daily.
The canal system raises ships 26 meters above sea level using water from Gatun Lake, without requiring any pumping mechanisms.
Location: Panamá Province
Location: Panamá Oeste Province
Location: Colón Province
Official opening: August 15, 1914
Elevation above the sea: 26 m
Part of: Seven Wonders of the Modern World
Address: XCM5+FPR, Cocolí, Panamá Oeste Province, Panama Cocolí Cocolí
GPS coordinates: 9.12000,-79.75000
Latest update: May 28, 2025 16:43
This collection brings together major technical achievements that have marked the history of modern engineering. From the Hoover Dam on the Colorado, built in 1936 to produce hydroelectric power, to the ITER nuclear fusion project in France, which represents the future of energy research, these structures exemplify human boldness and skill. Each structure serves a specific purpose: crossing natural obstacles like the Brooklyn Bridge, connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn since 1883, facilitating maritime trade with the Panama Canal between the Atlantic and Pacific, or pushing height limits with the Burj Khalifa at 828 meters. These achievements are visited around the world and often offer remarkable experiences. The Eiffel Tower welcomes 7 million visitors each year who ascend to discover Paris from its 324-meter height. Shanghai’s Maglev allows travel at 430 kilometers per hour thanks to magnetic levitation. The Millau Viaduct crosses the Tarn Valley at 343 meters above sea level over 2,460 meters in length. These engineering landmarks invite understanding of how industrial architecture has shaped our modern world, combining functional necessity with technical prowess that continues to fascinate visitors worldwide.
Panama City combines Spanish colonial architecture with modern urban design. Visitors can explore 16th-century ruins at Panama Viejo, walk through Casco Viejo's historic streets, and discover tropical forests at Metropolitan National Park. The city features waterfront boulevards, cultural venues, and architectural landmarks like the Frank Gehry-designed Biodiversity Museum. Urban parks and traditional markets complement the historical sites, while Ancon Hill provides city views.
Albrook Mall
27.2 km
Gatun Lake
18.7 km
Miraflores Locks Visitors Center
22.2 km
Centennial Bridge, Panama
16.1 km
Miraflores
22.2 km
Soberanía National Park
5.3 km
Fort Clayton
23.2 km
Metropolitan Natural Park
26.6 km
Summit Municipal Park
12.9 km
Camino de Cruces National Park
19.8 km
Estadio Nacional de Panamá
24.1 km
Lake Alajuela
23 km
Monument for the Martyrs of January 9, 1964
27.8 km
Panamá City Panamá Temple
24.4 km
Baha'i House in Panama City
26.3 km
Atlantic Entrance Range Middle Lighthouse
25.9 km
Gatún Northbound Rear Lighthouse
25.5 km
Pipeline Road
3.9 km
Gatun Locks
25.5 km
Cementerio de Corozal Silver
24.3 km
Ferrocarril
25.6 km
Former Commander’s Residence (Ciudad del Saber)
23.1 km
Balboa Theatre (Teatro Balboa)
27.9 km
Esclusas de Pedro Miguel
18.6 km
Edificio 104
22.7 km
Residencia original del Comandante / Actual Centro de Visitantes
23.1 km
Ateneo
22.8 km
Monumento a los Mártires
27.7 kmReviews
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